1996 Ford TAURUS SHO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
24 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
93,642 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 24 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 8.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 8.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 8.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv) | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling: 5; Unknown Or Other: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv): 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 9 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
2001: 4; 2002: 5; 2003: 8; 2004: 1; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2008: 2; 2010: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10049273 · 2003-12-05 (December 5, 2003)
ENGINE ABRUPTLY SHUT DOWN AT 30-40 MPH. VEHICLE CAN BE STARTED, BUT ENGINE STALLED WITHIN 2-3 SECONDS AFTER SHIFTING OUT OF PARK GEAR. INSPECTION BY THE DEALER NEXT AFTERNOON POINTS TO DAMAGED CRANK SHAFT AS THE CAUSE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049273 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10145536 · 2005-12-18 (December 18, 2005)
I PURCHASED MY '96 FORD TAURUS WAGON IN '99. I HAD IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS WITH THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT A MONTH AFTER PURCHASE. THE LIGHT WAS CHECKED AND I WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG AND THE SYSTEM WAS RESET. MONTHS LATER, THE LIGHT POPPED ON AGAIN AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE OXYGEN SENSOR (BY FORD MOTORS). 6 MONTHS LATER, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS ANOTHER SENSOR. MONTHS AFTER THAT WAS REPAIRED THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AGAIN AND UP UNTIL THIS DAY (12-17-05) I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT/ INDI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10145536 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 899171 · 2001-11-15 (November 15, 2001)
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH HEARD A TICKING SOUND. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, AND VEHICLE STALLED. DEALER REPLACED A BROKEN CAMSHAFT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 899171 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10176732 · 2006-12-21 (December 21, 2006)
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON 12/19//06 WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 309, AT ABOUT 5O MPH ON A CLEAR NIGHT WITH GOOD ROAD CONDITION. THE AIR BAG ON PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO ONE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO APPARENT CAUSE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. HE WAS CONFUSED FOR A MINUTE AND THEN HE PULLED VEHICLE OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM AIR BAG BUT NO FIRE. THE CONTACT DID CALL POLICE AND DOES HAVE A REPORT. THE CONTACT SAID THAT HE HAS TRIED SPEAKING WITH…
Owner-reported narrative. 53,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10176732 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031029 · 2003-08-07 (August 7, 2003)
I PURCHASED A 1996 FORD TAURUS IN 1998(FEBRUARY). IN THE SUMMER OF 1998 I BEGAN DEVELOPING COOLING PROBLEMS. SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH RUSTY RADIATOR WATER, HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED TWICE, AND AM NOW TOLD I POSSIBLY NEED A NEW MOTOR. I AM TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE COOLING SYSTEM OF THESE CARS IN OR ABOUT 1999, THAT HAS SINCE EXPIRED. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL. *PH
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10031029 at NHTSA ↗